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Reds manager Bryan Price said when the roster expands on Sunday, the Reds are really going to expand it.

"Somewhere in the neighborhood of seven to nine (players)," Price said. "I think that would be a reasonable assumption."

Anyone on the 40-man roster is eligible to be on the active roster after Sept. 1.

The Reds have some virtual locks to come up: first baseman/outfielder Donald Lutz, catcher Tucker Barnhart, right-handers Curtis Partch, J.J. Hoover and Carlos Contreras. Left-hander David Holmberg and first baseman Neftali Soto will be under consideration as well.

"There are some guys we'd really like to see," Price said. "It kind of gives us a chance to take a little bit better look at guys, given that opportunity. It will be interesting to see how much playing time they get. It will be dictated by where we are in the standings. You can't really showcase your young players when you're still chasing a postseason spot."

Price said the Reds will consider players who have not yet been up with the big league team. Infielder/outfelder Jake Elmore, outfielders Juan Duran and Yorman Rodriguez, left-hander Ismael Guillon and Cuban right-hander Raisel Iglesias are on the 40-man but have not played for the Reds this year.

Rodriguez, 22, is talented and has had a decent year with a batting average of .267, nine home runs and 40 RBI at Double-A Pensacola. Duran, also 22, is hitting .243 with 17 home runs and 51 RBI at Pensacola. Guillon has struggled at high-A Bakersfield.

The Reds could add players to the 40-man and then call them up. That was the case with Billy Hamilton last year. But general manager Walt Jocketty said Monday that top pitching prospects Robert Stephenson and Michael Lorenzen would not be called up.

"We talked about a lot of guys," Price said. "We've got some guys who haven't been here before who are being discussed. It will be six to nine, seven to nine. It will be a fairly decent number. If nothing more than to get guys experience as to what it's like to be up here. It's a chance to be around this environment and learn from the staff and players."

The Reds will bring up some minor league coaches on a rotating basis as well.